Closed
Food Ventures Program
Supports Nova Scotia food businesses with quality and safety services
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 10,000
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Location
Nova Scotia, Canada
Overview
The Food Ventures Program offers up to $10,000 in funding to help Nova Scotia farmers and food and beverage processors enhance competitiveness through food safety, quality improvements, and product development services. Eligible activities include training, food safety assessments, product reviews, labelling compliance, packaging, and new product development.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop a new product or service
- Optimize production processes
- Obtain certifications or accreditations
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Accommodation and food services
Location
- Nova Scotia
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Sole proprietorship
Annual revenue
- $ 1,500 minimum revenue
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Canadians
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Improving food safety and quality management systems for food and beverage products.
- Developing new food or beverage products from initial concept to market-ready stage.
- Enhancing existing products through formulation adjustments, shelf-life extension, or resolution of safety and quality issues.
- Ensuring product labelling and packaging meet regulatory and market requirements, including label compliance, nutritional information, and barcode acquisition.
- Undertaking staff training for food safety fundamentals and regulatory compliance.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Farm businesses in Nova Scotia
- Food and beverage processors in Nova Scotia
Who is not eligible
- Companies engaged in the production of cannabis products.
Eligible expenses
- Registration fees for eligible training courses (up to 75% to a maximum of $600 per applicant per year)
- Food safety assessments and coaching provided by Perennia specialists
- Food safety product reviews, including lab analysis and safety parameter testing
- Development of pathogen monitoring programs, including swabbing and product testing
- Routine swabbing and product testing for food pathogens
- Nutrition Facts table creation for eligible products
- Label review for regulatory compliance
- Product assessments and improvements, including analytical testing
- New product development services
- Recommended best before date (shelf life evaluation)
- Label printing, when combined with Perennia label review and/or Nutrition Facts table development (up to $750 per year)
- Purchase of GS1 barcodes (up to $175 per year), when combined with label review and/or Nutrition Facts table development
- Primary packaging purchases for regulatory compliance or market entry (up to $750 per year), when combined with label review and/or Nutrition Facts table development
Eligible geographic areas
- Nova Scotia
Additional information
- Applicants under $1,500 in annual gross sales are only eligible for training, food safety product reviews, and Nutrition Facts table creation.
- Technical advice from program specialists is available at no charge as part of the program.
- No payment will be made for claims under $20.00.
- Applicants consent to the release of their name and amount of support received, as this information is deemed public and may be disseminated by Perennia.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Food Ventures Program Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Food Ventures Program. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Food Ventures Program?
The Food Ventures Program offers up to $10,000 in funding to help Nova Scotia farmers and food and beverage processors enhance competitiveness through food safety, quality improvements, and product development services. Eligible activities include training, food safety assessments, product reviews, labelling compliance, packaging, and new product development.
How much funding can be received?
Food Ventures Program Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $10,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Food Ventures Program program?
To be eligible for the Food Ventures Program program, you must:
Must be registered and active under Nova Scotia Registry of Joint Stocks
Must have active operations in Nova Scotia
Must have generated at least $1,500 in annual eligible income
What expenses are eligible under Food Ventures Program?
Improving food safety and quality management systems for food and beverage products.
Developing new food or beverage products from initial concept to market-ready stage.
Enhancing existing products through formulation adjustments, shelf-life extension, or resolution of safety and quality issues.
Ensuring product labelling and packaging meet regulatory and market requirements, including label compliance, nutritional information, and barcode acquisition.
Undertaking staff training for food safety fundamentals and regulatory compliance.
Who can I contact for more information about the Food Ventures Program?
You can contact Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation by email at foodventures@perennia.ca or by phone at 902-670-9572.
Where is the Food Ventures Program available?
The Food Ventures Program program is available the province of Nova Scotia.
Is the Food Ventures Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Food Ventures Program is a Grant and Funding